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They will be forming their final human pyramid at the Preston Military Show on September 16.

A Ministry of Defence source told The Mail on Sunday the team’s impact on Army’s recruitment is no longer effective: “We’re short of soldiers and I’m afraid the people who watch them at events like the Dorset Steam Fair aren’t going to sign up.”

The decision has left veterans fuming, Colonel Chris Blessington, a White Helmet captain in the mid-1960s, said: “It’s outrageous that it’s coming to an end.

"The team have been going for 90 years and are known around the world.

“The White Helmets are as relevant today as they ever were.

"You’ve only got to see the crowd who turn up to see them at shows. A lot of the British Army ceremonial has nothing to do with the professional army of today. But it does have a lot to do with good old-fashioned character-building and spectacle. That will be sorely missed.”

Spectators at last week’s Denbigh and Flint Show agreed with him.

Alex Lloyd-Edwards, 34, a cyber-security consultant from Abergele said: “I don’t think they’re old fashioned. It’s great family entertainment. For the kids to see the military doing something with such control is a great thing.”

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Would-be riders, who still all come from the Royal Corps of Signals, go through a rigorous two-week selection process, followed by six-week training camp.

During that time they learn everything about the team’s modified 750cc Triumph T140 Tiger bikes, which have bigger rear sprockets than standard bikes, ‘sticky’ throttles so that riders can take their hands off the handlebars, and extra brackets for attaching ladders.

Tumbles are all part of the show with Lance Corporals Grant Fraser, 26, and Ben Angel, 22, both taking one on the Reverse Ladder trick at last week’s show. They must now wear the ‘black peak of shame’ on their helmets for their next performance.